The Descent from the Cross, from The Small Passion

Description

The Descent from the Cross by Albrecht Dürer gathers supporting hands around Christ’s lowered body. A ladder rises beside the cross, while figures above and below coordinate their movements with careful attention. The body’s descending form connects the tall structure to the waiting mourners, making the scene an image of both grief and shared effort.

Created around 1509 for The Small Passion, this woodcut carries the eye between the height of the cross and the close human gathering at its base. Angular supports contrast with the softer shapes of robes and limbs. Dürer gives the episode emotional clarity through the practical act of receiving the body, allowing tenderness to emerge from the many gestures that hold the composition together.

Learn about the printing process in our guide to giclée prints. Explore more Albrecht Dürer prints, or view Christ as the Man of Sorrows.